What is Russia famous for?

Russian Bear

The Russian Bear is a widespread symbol for Russia, used in cartoons, articles and dramatic plays at least since the 17th century, and relating alike to Tsarist Russia, the Soviet Union and the present-day Russian Federation.

It often was and is used by Westerners, to begin with especially in Britain and later also in the US, and not always in a flattering context — on occasion used to imply that Russia is «big, brutal and clumsy».

The bear image was, however, on various occasions (especially in the 20th century) also taken up by Russians themselves. Having the teddy bear «Misha» as the mascot of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games – boycotted by numerous countries due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan – was evidently intended to counter the «big and brutal Russian Bear» image with a small, cuddly and smiling bear.

Matryoshka

Matryoshka refers to a set of wooden dolls of decreasing size placed one inside the other. The first Russian matryoshka was carved in 1890 by Vasily Zvyozdochkin from a design by Sergey Malyutin, who was a folk crafts painter at Abramtsevo. Traditionally the outer layer is a woman, dressed in a sarafan, a long traditional Russian dress. The figures inside may be of either gender; the smallest doll is typically a baby lathed from a single piece of wood. Much of the artistry is in the painting of each doll, which can be very elaborate. The dolls often have different images varying from typical Russian girls to the famous sportsmen, from fairy tale characters to the country leaders.

Balalaika

The balalaika is a plucking string instrument that resembles a guitar, but has a triangular shape and only three strings (or two in some cases).

It is difficult to explain, but when you hear balalaika’s sounds, you at once think of Russia. There is something deeply Russian, typical folk and traditional in it. It is quiet and delicate, gently filling you with the essence of Russia.

Unfortunately, today the balalaika has disappeared from Russians’ everyday life almost completely. There aren’t many people left who can play it – not to mention, only professional musicians in Russian folk music ensembles.

Samovar

Samovar has traditionally been the most recognized symbol of Russian hospitality and family comfort as well as a sign of prosperity. For more than 250 years, the samovar has occupied an honored place in Russian homes as the centerpiece of the table, around which life revolved. Step by step a peculiar ritual of tea-drinking emerged and was adopted in every Russian home - people gathered to have tea parties and provided the right atmosphere for friendly conversation and sharing news, stories, and fellowship. Thus, samovar had both a practical and an emotional function.

The Russian word samovar literally means “self-boiling.” The vessel consists of a metal container for boiling the water and a fire-pan with a tube. The first samovar was made in Tula (an old city to the south of Moscow) in 1778, and since that time Tula is known as the centre of Russian samovar production.

Russian tea culture

Tea is part of Russian culture. According to recent studies, some 82% of Russians consume tea daily. Tea is a source of various minerals and nutrients that help supplement the Russian diet, and is used in Russia as a source of low cost nutrition.

According to William Pokhlyobkin, tea in Russia was not regarded as a self-dependent beverage; thus, even the affluent classes adorned it with a jam, syrup, cakes, cookies, candies, lemon and other sweets. This is similar to the archaic idiom «чай да сахар» (tea and sugar). The Russian language utilizes some expressions connected with tea consumption, including «чайку-с?» (roughly «some tea?»), used by the pre-Revolutionary attendants. The others are «гонять чаи» (whip the teas) and «побаловаться чайком» (indulging in tea). Tea was made a significant element of cultural life by the literati of the Karamzinian circle. By the mid-19th century tea had won over the town class, the merchants and the petty bourgeoisie. This is reflected in the dramas of Alexander Ostrovsky. Since Ostrovsky's time, duration and the amount of consumed tea are appreciated in the tea-drinking.

The Scarlet Sails

The Scarlet Sails is a celebration in St. Petersburg, Russia, the most massive and famous public event during the White Nights Festival. The tradition is highly popular for spectacular fireworks, numerous music concerts, and a massive water-show including battle among tens of boats full of pirates on the waters of Neva river. Millions people visit the event, among the entertainers were such stars as Cirque du Soleil, Mariinsky Ballet, Antonio Banderas and others.

Entertainment also includes appearances by popular rock stars, as well as St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra, ballet, and other classical acts, performing on several stages simultaneously during the days of the event. The show also includes rowing and motorboat races, and a massive battle with pirates culminating with appearance of a tall ship sporting spectacular «Scarlet sails».

Yo-mobile

The Yo-mobile is a planned hybrid electric car that will be produced by Yo-auto, a Russian company. The car will be powered by an engine that can burn both gasoline and natural gas and is connected to a pair of electric motors. Fuel economy of the car is expected to be around 67 mpg-US (3.5 L/100 km; 80 mpg-imp), with a range of 680 miles (1,090 km) and a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h). However, no tests were conducted due to the lack of working examples.

TEXT 5. Read and translate the article. Be ready to discuss. Name some more Russian personal qualities. Make a list of Russian good and bad character features, strengths and weaknesses, if any.